Mountain to Sea: From the Dolomites to the Adriatic

Self-guided
trip: Starts any Sunday from April 29th through July 15th, 2018 and from August 19th through September 23th, 2018
7 nights/8 days
Daily mileage: From 31 km (19 miles) to 69 km (43 miles)
Starts from Bolzano and ends in Mestre
Bolzano is serviced by train from closest major Italian gateways (Verona, Milan and Venice)
Accommodations in 3-and 4-star properties
Level: 2/3 (Easy/Moderate)
From 730 euros per person sharing a double room

Mountain to Sea: From the Dolomites to the Adriatic — 7 nights/8 days

Our northern Italy itinerary takes you from the Dolomites, a gorgeous mountain chain designed by Mother Nature herself, to Venice, one of the world’s craziest man-made architectural achievements! In between, the incredible array of natural and man-made elements will leave you no choice but to stop, gape in wonder, and take a million photographs.

Although the itinerary starts from a city built high in the mountains, the route is fairly easy and can be done by active people who exercise regularly. You’ll cycle on back roads with little traffic or on paved
bicycle paths, including the Lunga via delle Dolomiti.

Itinerary

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival in Bolzano

Arrive in Bolzano at the time of your choice. Trains run on a regular basis from Verona or Innsbruck, two cities with airports that are well serviced by low-cost airlines. Make the best of an early arrival time to explore this welcoming Alpine city, home to the Iceman… not to mention an interesting mix of German and Italian history and culture.

We’ll transfer you from Bolzano to Brunico (Bruneck) in the morning. We’ve kept today’s ride mileage to a minimum as it takes place on a slightly uphill bicycle path along the Rienz River. Even with the incline, you’re bound to enjoy the ride as this path takes you through the beautiful countryside. As you approach the valley town of Dobbiaco (Toblach), the scenery may remind you of a typical Austrian mountain town — that’s because you’re only a quick ride away from Austria's border!

With Dobbiaco at your back and the Landro bike path under your wheels, you’ll pass by the unusual rock formations known as the Three Peaks of Lavaredo. Gravity will then pull you south to Cortina d’Ampezzo, the “Pearl of the Dolomites”, and then you will reach Pieve di Cadore, the native town of Titian, one of the greatest masters of the Italian Renaissance, where you will overnight.

You’ll ride from Pieve di Cadore along the river Piave, also called “Sacred River”/ due to the
battles fought in this area during the first world war. In the last part of the Long Way of the Dolomites you’ll cycle on secondary roads with some up- and downhill and you’ll get to Longarone, sadly known for the Vajont disaster, and thenBelluno, your final destination of the day. Although Belluno may lack man-made sites worth noting, nature has more than made up for it! All of your senses are in for a treat, and you’ll feel refreshed
thanks to the crisp mountain air.

Prepare for a dramatic scenery change as you leave Belluno behind and ride through Tuscan-style landscapes. Pedal a bit more and you’ll be cycling in the vineyards that produce Prosecco, the famous Italian sparkling wine. Soon you’ll reach Valdobbiadene, a major Prosecco wine-making center. If you choose to dine at an authentic Italian eatery tonight, you should not miss lo spiedo, traditional skewered meat. Paired with a local Prosecco? Squisito!

Heading south from Valdobbiadene, you’ll cross the Piave River and enter the Po Valley. Your destination is Treviso, a town at the confluence of the Sile and Botteniga rivers. Too often overlooked in favor of
neighboring Venice, Padua (Padova) and Vicenza, Treviso deserves a moment in the spotlight. It’s a wonderful town to explore! Wander around its streets, piazzas, gardens, and villas before a well-deserved dinner at a local restaurant to sample the regional dishes.

The Sile River will lead you all the way to Casale, at which point you’ll ride to Mestre, your final destination. Your hotel there is located across from a bus stop and a short ride from the train station, both of which offer frequent service to Venice — just a few minutes’ ride away! An early arrival will allow plenty of time in Venice for an afternoon of walking along canals, over bridges, across piazzas, and into palaces. Save time for dinner at your leisure — it’s not often you can select a local restaurant in one of the world’s
most desirable places. Venice is wonderful exclamation point to conclude a week-long extraordinary vacation!

You can choose to stay in Venice instead of Mestre for an extra fee (on request).

Day 8 (Sunday): Departure

After breakfast, depart Mestre at the time of your choice. Please note that we can arrange post-tour stays in Venice, if desired, in order to soak up more of its otherworldly canals and aesthetic delights.